At present, the field of financial IT technology called Fintech is drawing attention around the world. In Japan as well, the government is supporting the use of IT in the financial field, and also the term Fintech is used every day in major financial industries and startups.In this article, for foreigners who are interested in Japan’s Fintech field, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the current status of Fintech in Japan and the featured companies in the field.What is Fintech?First of all, we would like to explain what Fintech is.Financial technology (abbreviated fintech or FinTech) is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It is an emerging industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance.[2] The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investing, borrowing services[3], and cryptocurrency are examples of technologies aiming to make financial services more accessible to the general public. Financial technology companies consist of both startups and established financial institutions and technology companies trying to replace or enhance the usage of financial services provided by existing financial companies.Reference: The Free Encyclopedia “Wikipedia”In more simple words, it is about transforming existing financial services and creating new services using advanced IT technologies such as AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain. Some familiar examples are, remittance and payment using smartphones, virtual currency using blockchain technology, etc.Why Fintech gets attention from IT Engineers in Japan?Currently, the Fintech area is receiving a lot of attention from IT engineers in Japan, and the number of IT engineers who are changing jobs to the Fintech field is increasing. The reasons for this are “magnitude of social impact” and “acquisition and application of advanced IT technology”.The Magnitude of Social Impact“Money” is indispensable to establish the economy and people’s lives, by transforming financial services, there is a potential to significantly change the economy and people’s lives. Therefore, many entrepreneurs and IT engineers who want to make a big impact on society are challenging in the Fintech field, and the government is supporting it.As we will explain later, the business in the Fintech area is outstanding, also in financing Japanese startups. Major banks and insurance companies have also started CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) and various fintech-related businesses. The number of these cases are increasing by investing in startups, making capital and business alliances.Acquisition and Application of Advanced IT TechnologyIn the Fintech field, there are opportunities to use advanced IT technologies, and we can say that it is an attractive career development environment for IT engineers who want to hone their technical skills. Related technologies that are important in FinTech include big data, AI, blockchain, and IoT.If you are interested in those technologies, please refer to the following article for related technologies in Fintech and their recruitment demand.Fintech Key Advanced Technologies and Job Demand in Japan11 Fields of Fintech and their Representative ServicesCurrently, the “Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” and Japanese consulting firms are frequently researching the trends of Fintech around the world and Japan. As the segment used at that time, fintech is divided into 11 fields.Smart PaymentInvestment/Asset management/Robot-advisorVirtual currencyHousehold Management and Advice (PMF: Personal Financial Management)Social LendingCrowdfundingInsuranceLoans/LoansAccounting/FinanceRemittance & Split BillsFinancial InformationFrom now, we would like to explain each field and its representative services.Smart PaymentSmart payments are electronic payment methods that does not require cash or financial institution procedures. Using smart payment eliminates the need for cash management, procedures time at financial institutions, and also reduce the fee. Smart payments can broaden the range of payment methods for consumers.There are roughly two types of smart payments currently used in Japan, card payments and QR code payments are often used.Credit card payments and debit card payments are the most common examples of payment using a card. Payment is performed by entering card information online or displaying a card at a store. Recently, not only credit cards but also prepaid cards have been attracting attention. For example, LINE pay cards.Prepaid cards can be issued without a screening, they can be used for payment only as much as you charged them at a convenience store. It is a card that can be used by young people who couldn’t have a credit card until now.Regarding QR code payment, many major IT companies such as PayPay, Merpay, Rakuten Pay have entered the market, the settlement is completed by reading the QR code via a smartphone. QR code payments have already become mainstream in China and other countries. PayPay used China’s Alipay technology and features as a reference.Representative Services of Smart PaymentPayPay (In Japanese), Merpay (In Japanse), Paidy (In Japanese), etc.Investment/Asset Management/Robot-advisorThis is a service that selects and manages financial merchandise using analysis by AI in asset management such as stocks. Since AI learns data daily, it is said that asset management and investment by AI will be more accurate than human prediction in the future.A Robot-advisor means that an AI robot manages personal assets. In Japan, there are two types of Robot-advisors: the discretionary investment type, that manages and sells based on investment algorithms and, advice type that diagnoses and advises asset management.Representative Services for Investment/Asset Management and Robo-advisorWealthNavi (In Japanese), THEO (In Japanese), etc.Virtual CurrencyBy utilizing blockchain technology, virtual currency is a currency that can store transaction records such as deposits and withdrawals even if there is no centralized management agency such as banks. Unlike fiat currencies such as yen and dollars, it is a new currency that doesn’t have the form of bills or coins.Previously, it was reported in the news that the number of people holding a virtual currency for investment purposes increased, and the value of virtual currency rose and fell sharply. Also, there was a case in which the virtual currency leaked due to hacking because the security management of the virtual currency vendor was weak.Thereby, the public image of virtual currencies has become temporarily deteriorated, but as of July 2020, the virtual currency market has been stable, and it is expected that the market will expand steadily in the future.Representative Services of Virtual Currency (Virtual Currency Business Operator)bitFlyer, Coincheck, etc.Household Management and Advice (PMF: Personal Financial Management)One of the most familiar fields of Fintech is PMF. The main function of this is to manage daily spendings and incomes. In a nutshell, it plays the role of a household account book application. Unlike the household account book softwares and apps that have been used up to now, it is possible to manage accounts of various financial institutions with one service. Furthermore, bank account information, but you can also get information about payments by credit card and other payment methods.Representative Services of PMFMoney ForwardIt is one of the Japanese companies that provide PMF services. This app allows you to check the electronic money used at convenience stores, credit cards used for shopping, bank accounts with salaries transferred. Japan’s top household account book application with more than 8 million people.Dr. Wallet (In Japanese)It is the second most popular household account book application after money forward with more than 1 million users.Social LendingSocial lending, also known as “lending-type crowdfunding,” is a service that connects borrowers (mainly companies) and investors who want to invest money through financial products. Companies that provide social lending services perform, borrower screening, investor recruitment, loans, repayments, and also performs distribution management.The difference with mutual funds is that investors find the lenders, and the price is not affected by the market price.Representative services for social lendingSBI Social Lending, CROWD CREDIT, etc.CrowdfundingCrowdfunding is a service that allows you to raise a small amount of money from an unspecified number of people via Internet. In the case of financing, generally, there are loans from banks and investment by venture capital. But unlike traditional funding, crowdfunding is getting attention as a new funding mechanism for been “Easy”, “High diffusivity” and “Implementing test marketing”.Anyone who has an idea or wants to solve a social problem or launch a new product can become a “drafter”, and anyone who wants to support it or want to help try to a new product is a “supporter”. in this way, in crowdfunding, It is to raise money by recruiting people on the Internet to fund the project that the creator wants to do.Representative Services for CrowdfundingCamp-Fire, Makuake, Ready For, etc.InsuranceUntil now, it was supposed to take out insurance through an insurance salesman or an agent, but in recent years, online insurance services have grown now till you can take out insurance with just one smartphone. With LINE insurance you can take out insurance in as little as 60 seconds using a smartphone.There is also a system that uses IT for car insurance, to acquire and analyze driver data such as mileage and driving characteristics, determining insurance premiums based on that data.Representative Services for InsuranceLINE Hoken, Sony Assurance / Good Drive (In Japanese), etc.Financing/LoansFintech is being utilized for the financing of banks and loan companies. This technology has been used in mortgage comparison, mortgage refinancing services, the examination of borrowers using big data, the limit of lending, determination of loan interest rate, etc.Representative Services Financing and LoanJ.Score (In Japanese), WhatzMoney (In Japanese), etc.Accounting/FinanceVarious cloud services are being offered in the fields of corporate accounting and financial management. In the past accounting process, there were many human errors and wasted time, but with the advent of cloud services, the accounting process time is shortened, human errors are reduced. Now, it is possible to visualize the accounting status of the company.Accounting/Finance Representative Servicesfreee, Yayoi-kaikei, etc.Remittance & Split BillsServices that allow people to share payments, receive money, and pay for drinking parties (Nomikai) through smartphone apps are becoming popular. When carrying out split bills, it was very troublesome to calculate by 1 yen and collect cash, but due to this technology, it turns possible to easily split bills without cash.Representative Services for Remittance and Split BillsKyash (In Japanese), YoroPay (In Japanese), etc.Financial InformationFinancial and economic data needs to be collected efficiently when an investor manages an asset or when a corporate business planning department makes a strategy. In response to such needs, using IT technology to analyze huge amounts of financial and economic data, a service that can obtain high-quality information in a short time has been created.Representative services for financial informationZUU, SPEEDA, etc.Fintech Chaos Map of JapanLastly, we would like to introduce the Japanese Fintech service landscape map announced by MA STAND.In addition to the services mentioned above, various companies provide services.Reference:【Fintech Industry Landscape Map 2019】Top 50 FinTech Companies in Japan / MA STANDConclusionMany fintech services have been created in Japan, and considering the magnitude of social impact and the acquisition of advanced technology for IT engineers, the fintech field is a very rewarding environment for them.If you are a foreign IT engineer who wants to work in the Japanese fintech industry, please register with GTalnet, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers. A professional consultant will help you to find a job in the field of fintech for free.

Japan is known throughout the world as a country with a unique culture and style such as sitting on the floor (Seiza) or eating holding tableware and bringing it closer to their mouth. This unique style is not only reflected in their personal lives, but also the Japanese business world.In this article, we would like to introduce some of the Unique Japanese Business Etiquette that cannot be learned in language schools and other schools for foreigners who are planning to work in Japan or are currently working in Japanese companies.Unique Japanese Business MannersExchange of Business CardsIn the U.S. and other countries, business cards are just contact information cards, but in Japan, it is used as a substitute for greetings. There are some things you should pay attention to when you exchange business cards because there is an old belief in Japan that a business card is the same as a person’s face.When to Exchange Business Cards?In Japan, when you meet someone for the first time, you must exchange business cards when you start working with them. This will be the first impression you get when doing business in Japan, so why not practice the following steps to help you get started?Procedure for exchanging business cardsWe’d like to give you a brief introduction to the process of exchanging business cards in Japan. Take a business cards from the business card case.The first person you need to exchange business cards with in any situation is the boss or superior you are visiting. Before exchanging business cards, you should take out enough cards for each person you are giving them to and place them underneath the card case. You should place your hand on your chest when exchanging cards. The inferior one in the business (Meshita) had to start the exchanging of the business card.When you exchange business cards in Japan, the basic rule is that the inferior person who is visiting should give their card first. The word “inferior” here does not refer to the skills, age or the position of the person, but to the person who offers a business idea. For example, if a salesperson is proposing a product to a company that has been approved for a visit, the salesperson must show his or her business card first. Be careful not to get this procedure wrong, as it is rude to the other party. Give the name of the Company and your Name.When exchanging business cards, instead of offering your business card silently, make eye contact with the person you are giving it to and say, “My name is XX and I work for XX company.Some foreign names are difficult for Japanese people to understand, so try to say your name slowly and clearly using the katakana pronunciation. Receive the business card with both hands.When accepting a business card, say “Thank you” (Choudai-Itashimasu) and accept it with both hands. When you receive the card, be careful not to block the part of the card where the other person’s name and company name are written with your fingers. If you do not know how to read the person’s name, ask the person when you receive the card. During business negotiations, put the business card you received on the left front.Place the other party’s superior’s business card on your card case and arrange them in order of seating position close to your left hand (if you are right-handed).Place the card case in the opposite direction of your dominant hand to prevent it from being dropped accidentally when you are taking notes (if your left-handed, place it close to your right hand).A society where your seat depends on the company hierarchyIn the Japanese business world, you must pay attention to your superiors when you are in a business meeting or a meal. Not just wording, you also need to pay attention to where you sit. Although the above business card exchange manner is well known abroad, the seating arrangement we are about to explain is not so well known in other countries, but it is a business etiquette that has existed in the Japanese business scene for a long time.The order of seating is ① > ② > ③, in order of high hierarchy.As shown in ① above, the seat farthest from the entrance is called “kamiza”. The seat closest to the entrance is called the “shimoza”; in the above diagram, “shimoza” is ③.The Origin of Kamiza & ShimozaIn the Japanese business world, it is common practice to recommend the “kamiza” to customers and superiors.The origin of these words was in ancient times (Muromachi Period 1336-1573) when Samurais still existed. To reduce the risk of the assassination of a nobleman or person of high status, they were to sit away from the entrance. Also, because of the large number of people coming and going out from big rooms, they started asking people of the higher status to sit farthest away from the entrance so that people of higher status would be more comfortable.Even now, this crisis management mindset is still present, not only in meetings but also in taxis and elevators, where we ask our bosses and superiors to sit in a position where they can be safe or stand in a position where they can avoid injuries in a case of breakdown.On-time = 5 minutes agoIn Japan, arriving on time is almost the same as being late for an appointment. Punctuality is taught from elementary school and is part of the Japanese culture. Therefore, it is important to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the start of a business meeting. Before you leave for your destination, find out how to get there, and if you need to take a train, find out the departure time and transfer point in advance.“First names” or “Last names”?In foreign countries, people often introduce themselves by saying “I am XX” or “My name is XX”, starting with their first name. However, in Japan, when you are in a close relationship with someone, you often call them by their first name, so in Japanese business situations, you should basically call them by their last name with a “san” at the end, not their first name. If the person you are talking to is a customer, you should call them by their last name adding a “sama” at the end.ConclusionThese days, this type of business etiquette is becoming less common in Japan, but it can still be found in various business situations in Japan.However, if foreign employees can use Japanese business etiquette, they can show their colleagues and superiors that they have a positive attitude towards working at a Japanese company and can make a big difference to other employees who are not as well versed in this area.There is no loss in learning the above-mentioned business etiquette, so why not learn it for your career growth?

Studying in Japan for a long period of time, such as for study abroad, working holiday, and job hunting, can be a pleasure, but at the same time, you may be worried about illness and injury.In this article, we would like to explain the conditions for taking out a medical insurance in Japan, the types of medical insurance, insurance premiums, and procedures for foreigners who are planning to stay in Japan for a long period of time.Is it Absolutely Necessary to have government medical insurance?If you are covered by the government’s medical insurance, the co-payment of medical expenses to hospitals is basically 30% for people between the ages of 6 and 70. For example, when a medical cost is 10,000 yen, you can only pay 3,000 yen if you show your health insurance card to the hospital. This is the advantage of medical insurance in Japan.In other countries, it is generally up to the individual to purchase medical insurance, but in Japan, all citizens (regardless of nationality) are required to have some type of medical insurance. In other words, all foreigners who are staying in Japan for a long period of time other than a short stay (3 months) are required to take out a medical insurance policy.What kind of Medical Insurances are available in Japan?In Japan, there are two types of medical insurance in general.1.Social health insurance (Shakai-hoken) The health insurance is for company employees in Japan.2.National health insurance (Kokumin-kenko-hoken) The health insurance is for housewife, freelancer, students with more than 20 years old and so on. In case of foreigners, it’s foreign students and foreigners who came to Japan on a working holiday and so on.From now on, we would like to explain these two types of medical insurance briefly.What is Social Health Insurance for Companies Employees?Social insurance (shakai-hoken) consists of five components: health insurance, employees’ pension insurance, long-term care insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance, health insurance is included in this social insurance (shakai-hoken).In Japan, full-time, contract, and part-time employees who meet the following requirements are eligible for social insurance: employees who work 20 hours a week, earn at least 88,000 yen a month and have been working for at least one year. Whenever a company hires an employee who meets certain requirements, it is obligated to have he or she joins the social insurance system.How much is the Insurance Fee for Social Insurance (shakai-hoken) ?The amount of social insurance fee varies depending on the area you live in, your income, and which health association you belong to. Therefore, the fees paid by a person working in Tokyo and Osaka are different.And the payment of social insurance premiums is usually made by the company. The company deducts the monthly social insurance fee from the employee’s monthly salary, so the employee does not have to go through the payment process.In case of employees and family members working for small and medium-sized companies who joined “Association Health Insurance” (Kyokai-kenpo), the health insurance premium rate in Tokyo from April 2020 will be 9.87% of their monthly salary as a monthly health insurance fee.However, instead of paying the entire amount individually, the company and the individual will pay half of the insurance premiums. Therefore, half of the 9.87% of your monthly salary will be deducted from your salary as health insurance premiums.In addition to the health insurance premiums, there are other social insurance fees such as employee pension insurance, which are generally deducted from your monthly salary.※The following links are for information about health insurance.What is a Health Insurance Society?Table of health insurance and employees’ pension insurance premiums since April 2020/ Association Health InsuranceWhat is National Health Insurance (kokumin-kennko-hoken) ?It is a health insurance program run by local governments and is available to those who are listed on the Basic Resident Register and are not covered by the company’s health insurance. You are obliged to purchase this insurance if you are staying in Japan for more than three months for purposes other than tourism. For example, foreign students who are studying in Japan or foreigners who are coming to Japan on a working holiday are required to join the National Health Insurance.If you want to know more about National Health Insurance, please take a look at the links that explain National Health Insurance in English, Spanish, Chinese, and other languages. National Health Insurance in English, Spanish, Chinese and other languages. ((About National Health Insurance / Multilingual))How much is the National Health Insurance Premiums?Insurance premiums vary greatly depending on the city, town, or village you live in, your income, and other factors. The following website provides a simulation of the national health insurance fees. However, please note that fees vary from city to city and town to town, so please use it as a guide only.National Health Insurance Premium Simulation (Japanese)Procedures and the Time Frame Required to Obtain Medical InsuranceProcedures for Health Insurance (social insurance) for full-time, contract, and part-time employeesHealth insurance (social insurance) is medical insurance that foreigners who come to Japan to work. He or She can enroll in when they join a company. Therefore, the first condition for enrollment is that the foreigner must have a labor visa.The application for social insurance (health insurance) is not to be completed by the foreigner him/herself, but together with the company where he/she joins the company. The company and the employee will fill out the documents prepared by the company and submit them to the health insurance association with necessary documents such as the validated residence card, passport, and my-number card.How long it takes for health insurance (social security) to become available?Using the “Association Health Insurance” (Kyoukai-kenpo) as an example, you will receive your insurance card in about 7 to 10 days from the date the company submits the documents. However, it tends to arrive later during the busy season in April and other months when people enter and leave the company. Since this is only an example, the period of time may vary depending on the health insurance association you join.National Health Insurance ProceduresIf you want to apply for National Health Insurance, you must apply for it within 14 days from the date of entry into Japan, the date of your move to another city or prefecture in japan, or the date you lost your social insurance membership (e.g., the date you resigned). Even if you resign from your current employer, you do not need to apply for National Health Insurance as long as you start working at your new employer within 14 days of the date you resigned.In Japan, it is compulsory to enroll in health insurance, so if there is a delay in the application process, you will be billed for the delayed amount at a later date, so please be careful. If you visit a hospital or other medical facility while you are not covered by the insurance, you will be responsible for 100% of the cost of the visit.We would like to introduce what you need in order to enroll in the National Health Insurance.Foreign Students (Ryuugakusei) PassportResident card (Zairyu-card)Student ID cardWorking HolidaysResident cardPassportWhen you lose eligibility for social insurance (when you leave a company)Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident CertificateOne of the following: certificate of disqualification (health insurance), release form, retirement certificate, or tax withholding certificate (with the date of retirement entered)How long it takes for National Health Insurance to become Available?Unlike health insurance (social insurance), you can apply for National Health Insurance at the city hall. The National Health Insurance card is issued on the same day as the application and can be used at hospitals and other facilities from the same dayConclusionIn Japan, it is compulsory to purchase medical insurance so that all citizens can easily go to the hospital even for minor symptoms such as “slightly feverish” or “feeling sick”. Because of this, the amount of money that an individual actually pays at the hospital is about 30% of the total cost.In addition, there is a system called the high-cost medical care benefits system, which sets an upper limit for monthly medical expenses based on income, so if you have a surgery or hospitalization that results in high medical expenses, you can receive a refund for any medical expenses that exceed the upper limit of your copayment.

This year, Google acquired Appsheet, a platform for no-code development, and also Amazon released Amazon Honeycode, a no-code tool, and no-code development has become a hot topic worldwide.In this article, we would like to explain NoCode development and its popular tools, which have been getting a lot of attention in Japan recently, for foreigners and IT engineers who are interested in Japanese web and smartphone app development trends.What is NoCode?NoCode tools are software development platforms that allow non-technical people to build their own applications without having to write codes or even a programming language. These tools often feature a simple user interface with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to easily visualize the development process and define the underlying business logic.The terms NoCode and LowCode themselves are often thought of as being similar, but as the names suggest, there is a big difference. NoCodeThe NoCode platform allows users to build software with essentially no programming language. LowCodeLowCode platforms may require an amount of coding and require users with no programming knowledge to work with the developers (knowledgeable ones) during some or all of the development process.※To learn more about LowCode, please take a look at this link. (What is LowCode)Benefits of using NoCodeNo programming knowledge requiredIf you are building an application with NoCode, you don’t need to have any programming knowledge to code from scratch. This is different from app development in the past and makes it possible for people with no knowledge of programming languages to develop apps.For example, people working in various business units who are not part of the IT department will be able to develop systems that can solve everyday business problems on their own, or people who have great ideas for new systems and services, but without any programming experience.Shorter development timeNoCode development eliminates the time it takes to code by hand, so the time from app or service conception to development and release can be significantly reduced.Faster development is required to meet diversified needs and to survive in the midst of numerous innovative companies and businesses. With the speed of new business ideas, the no-code approach to development will take on greater significance in the future.Featured NoCode ServicesWe would like to introduce you to the NoCode service that is getting a lot of attention and its features.Bubble  Bubble 9 tweets123 users5721 pocketsThe most powerful no-code platformhttps://bubble.ioBubble introduces a new way to build a web application. It’s a no-code point-and-click programming tool. Bubble hosts all applications on its cloud platform.  Flexible development from the front end to the back end of a web application is possible.Uses an intuitive interface with a drag-and-drop editor.There are plenty of free and paid templates created by Bubble’s own designers.It has about 1,000 different plug-ins for connecting with external services.Bubble is the most popular development tool in NoCode tools and is used by many users in Japan as well as abroad for its rich customizability and easy-to-understand development procedures.Adalo  www.adalo.com 37 users1097 pocketsAdalo – Build Your Own No Code Apphttps://www.adalo.comAdalo makes creating apps as easy as putting together a slide deck. Turn your idea into a real native app — no code needed!  It is possible to develop both web and smartphone apps on a single tool.Since it is linked with “Zapier”, it made easily linked with external services such as “Gmail” and “Google Spreadsheet”, it is a tool that can be used as a tool for business automation.UI parts for screen building are available, so users can build a system by simply dragging and dropping the parts that match the system they want to build.Appsheet  AppSheet 42 users1001 pocketsAppSheet : mobile apps from spreadsheets :https://www.appsheet.comMake apps with no-code. AppSheet's no-code app building platform allows you to quickly build apps to collect, or connect to, data. Start building for free now.  It has been in the spotlight in Japan since it was acquired by Google in January 2020You can create a number of apps for your internal operations, such as budget apps, webinar apps, quote and proposal apps, and moreReusable code blocks for manipulating data and the ability to manually customize the code to make it unique to your contentRetool  retool.com 46 users3106 pocketsBuild internal tools, remarkably fast.https://retool.comRetool is the fast way to build internal tools. Drag-and-drop our building blocks and connect them to your databases and APIs to build your own tools, instantly. Connects with Postgres, REST APIs, GraphQL, Firebase, Google Sheets, and more. Built by developers, for developers. Trusted by startups and Fortune 500s. Sign up for free.  Works with useful drag and drop editor.A feature-rich component library (tables, text entry, etc.) allows you to build internal tools faster.Reusable code blocks for manipulating data and the ability to manually customize the code to make it unique to your content.ConclusionThe no-code platform has revolutionized the business of IT, making it easier than ever to get up and start using feature-rich enterprise software. While there will always be a need for human-driven software development, the no-code platform fills an important space for businesses and industries of all sizes.If you are a foreign IT engineer interested in working for a Japanese company and would like to work for a Japanese company, register with G Talent, a recruitment agency for foreign IT engineers. Our professional consultants will help you find a job at a Japanese technology company for free.

JavaScript is one of the most sought-after programming languages in the world. For most developers, their first experience with JavaScript came from JQuery. It is a popular JavaScript library and framework, providing compatibility features to browsers such as interactive web pages, single-page apps, AJAX requests, and mobile web apps.As more people rely on their smartphones for information, new open-source frameworks have evolved to cater to mobile web development projects. One of the best CSS and JavaScript frameworks recommended by web developers is Bootstrap.BootstrapBootstrap’s library is a collection of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript UI widgets. It is designed as a starter kit for developers to build websites and mobile applications. It gained its popularity among the web development community for its ease of use and excellent documentation.The previous versions of Bootstrap heavily relied on jQuery codes to create dynamic layouts for websites and web applications. Its earlier versions came with JavaScript components in the form of JQuery plugins.However, in June 2020, Bootstrap 5 Alpha was released and dropped its support for Internet Explorer and removed jQuery from its framework. The Bootstrap Core Team wants to develop future-friendly tools for better APIs, great CSS variables, and faster JavaScript.One of their improvements is dropping their Button plugin for an HTML and CSS only approach to toggle states. Checkboxes and radio buttons now power toggle buttons.What’s New?Dropping support for Internet Explorer and the removal of jQuery are few of the highlights in Bootstrap 5. Besides focusing on code quality and interface, the Bootstrap team also improved its old features and made new ones to benefit web developers.1. Responsive Font SizesBootstrap 5 will ease the challenges faced by developers in solving typography problems. They can now control the appearance of typographies on web pages with the responsive font size.RFS is a unit resizing engine that automatically calculates the appropriate font-size values based on the user’s screen size or viewport. It can resize values for any CSS property with units, like margins, padding, border-radius, or box-shadow. It also works on preprocessors or postprocessor tools such as Sass, Less, Stylus, or PostCSS.2. Change Gutter Width Unit of MeasurementYou can specify sizes or lengths of CSS elements using various units of measurements such as em, % vw, and vh, but web developers widely use pixels or px. In Bootstrap 5, the team changed the gutter width from px to rem.Rem or root em is equal to the calculated value of font-size on the root element. For example, 1 rem is similar to the font size of the HTML element.3. Navbar UpdateIn Bootstrap 5, the inline-block on the navbar has been removed and uses a flex shorthand. The Bootstrap team also removed the brand margin caused by requiring containers in navbars.4. SVG Icon LibraryIn Bootstrap 5, a brand new SVG icon library was made by the co-founder of Bootstrap Mark Otto. Developers can now use these icons in their projects.5. Enhanced Class UpdatesThe Bootstrap 5 has added and removed CSS classes from the 1,500 in Bootstrap 4. Here are some of the CSS classes in the new version.gx-* classes control the horizontal/column gutter widthgy-* classes control the vertical/row gutter widthg-* classes control the horizontal & vertical gutter widthrow-cols-autoThe following are the CSS classes removed by the Bootstrap team.form-rowform-inlinelist-inlinecard-deckBootstrap in JapanThis open-source framework has also reached Japan’s thriving tech industry. It is highly recommended by the web developer community in the country for JavaScript and CSS.If you’re planning to work as a web developer in Japan, IT companies value front-end developers with experience working on Bootstrap and JavaScript. Salaries could go as high as JPY 4 million and JPY 7.5 million because top companies in the industry highly use the open-source framework.If you have tried working with the previous versions of Bootstrap, it may be easier for you to adjust working with its version 5. Here are some of the critical changes in Bootstrap 5 and the skills you have to learn before working in Japan as a web developerJavaScriptWith Bootstrap 5 functioning without jQuery, developers don’t have to worry about the size and adding non-essential functions while writing vanilla JavaScript code.However, developers who only know how to use jQuery will be greatly affected by this change. This might be an excellent chance to learn JavaScript from the root since it is a widely-used programming language. Being adept at JavaScript can open career opportunities in the tech industry.In Japan, a web developer’s salary also depends on the programming language used. A JavaScript front-end engineer can earn about 88.10 million yen annually.From Jekyll to HugoIT companies in Japan are looking for web developers who can use various open-source static site generators, such as Jekyll and Hugo.Developers have used Bootstrap 4 as a tool for integrating Jekyll through SASS. But with the recent developments in Bootstrap 5, the team has made a switch to the fast and flexible static site generator Hugo.Hugo has already been making waves in the web development community for its easy configuration and excellent integration. Being skilled in the open-source static site generator will be beneficial as more web developers in Japan use Bootstrap and other open-source frameworks in the future.ConclusionBootstrap has already been recognized in Japan’s web development community for its versatility and well-designed CSS and JavaScript frameworks. As more people access the web from various devices such as laptops, desktop computers, and mobile devices, the need for better user experience for all viewports will require businesses to have responsive web designs.One of the most challenging experiences faced in web development is coming up with a base for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to each project. The Bootstrap team aims to cut down the workload of web developers with the latest features and fixes made on Bootstrap 5. As they make frameworks light, simple, and fast, web developers will continue to recommend the use of Bootstrap in the future.References:https://blog.getbootstrap.com/2020/06/16/bootstrap-5-alpha/https://designmodo.com/bootstrap-5/https://www.infoq.com/news/2020/08/bootsrap-5-drops-jquery/https://bootstrapstudio.io/pages/releases/https://www.zdnet.com/article/bootstrap-a-ui-framework-used-by-20-of-internet-sites-is-dropping-ie-support/https://www.sejuku.net/blog/102624

Foldable smartphones, or simply just “foldables” are currently all the tech world’s rage, as industry giants such as Samsung, Motorola, LG, and Huawei have all produced their versions of the trendy new smartphone.As of the 2nd quarter of 2020, handheld devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Fold, Motorola’s Razr, Huawei’s Mate X, and LG’s V50 ThinQ and G8X ThinQ Dual Screen have dominated the foldable smartphone market. The fleet of products has also garnered high sales and positive reviews from both users and critics, much to the delight of tech brands.Other companies have now seemed to follow suit, with the market leader, Apple, already planning to throw their hat in the ring with a possible foldable iPhone in the future. Some brands like Lenovo and LG have now used the new foldability features to venture into other technological areas like foldable personal computers and foldable televisions.The popularity of foldables in a technological hub like Japan has prompted the country’s top app development companies to strike while the iron’s hot. Developers are now faced with the challenge of placing their best IT engineers to build apps that will ultimately utilize the bendable gadgets’ uniqueness.But what are the challenges that these IT engineers face when creating applications for foldables? What is the role of foldable smart devices in the bright technological future? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and better understand today’s hottest tech movement.The Challenge for IT EngineersWhile this “foldable” stage of evolution for smartphones and devices is exhilarating for users because of the boundless possibilities it presents, app development companies are also faced with enormous hurdles to create applications that are optimized for foldables.App ContinuityNow that there is a new type of smartphone screen, IT engineers need to develop apps that will present the same experience for all smartphones. IT engineers need to ensure that the applications will be picture-perfect, whether it be on standard screens or foldable ones. Additionally, IT engineers need to prepare apps that will be able to adapt to many resolutions and densities of different screen types.Before, app developers only needed apps that can run smoothly across different kinds of operating systems and devices. Now, they need to consider running apps on foldable screen types as well.Because of foldables, developers now have the added pressure of testing their applications for possible errors and malfunctions and check if the apps can perform on foldable devices.Multi-Resume Split ScreenSince foldable devices are now able to run 2 (and even 3) apps simultaneously, developers will need to optimize apps that can be used concurrently with other apps.The multi-resume split-screen presents a tricky situation for developers. The applications running simultaneously will all be competing for the same core system and will use the same processing power, battery, and memory.Moreover, the likelihood of all running apps on foldable devices using features such as the camera and voice command at the same time is high because developers create these apps with the priority of user interactivity and convenience.Both the app continuity and multi-resume split-screen features will prove to be a challenge not only for app developers, but also for smartphone brands as they have to create handheld devices that can handle the complexity of it all.Factors to Consider When Creating an App for Foldable DevicesApp development companies want to hit a home run and develop the hottest new apps to make their mark in the new foldable smartphone market. At the same time, other already established apps want to build off their success and continue to be profitable under the new trendy devices. App developers need to take note of a few things when creating or sustaining apps for foldables.ResizabilitySince foldables have much bigger screens than regular smartphones, IT engineers must start creating applications with high quality resolutions that will be auto-responsive when displayed on either a full screen or on the multi-window mode.Usability on Both ModesApp developers and IT engineers must ensure that their apps fully-functional in different screen modes for foldable devices. They must also test the applications’ seamless transition from its basic screen and then immediately shifted to the folded version and vice versa.Screen RatiosBecause foldables are a fairly new segment, brands are manufacturing the devices in all shapes and sizes, trying to find the right proportions that will be marketable with users. This forces app development companies to test their apps on various screen ratios to ensure compatibility across all types of foldables.QualitySince more companies are now looking to develop their style of foldable devices, IT engineers must ensure the quality of applications across all types of foldables. Luckily, some emulators can enable software of a particular device to perform the same way on another different or new platform.The Role of Foldable Smart Devices in the FutureAccording to Statista and USA Today, 50.1 million foldable handheld devices are projected to be shipped by 2022, a considerable jump from 2020’s 13.6 million international deliveries. This estimate shows the increase of sales since the tech’s initial conception, and it also exhibits how much faith experts have on the future of foldables.Both consumers and tech aficionados hope that the foldables’ components could be enough to change the global technological landscape. Some of the advantages of foldable devices include:Larger Screen, Smaller SizeMany people own both smartphones and tablets. They use smartphones as a daily device while tablets are for entertainment purposes. Although tablets have proven to be incredible pieces of technology, their size has proven somewhat of an inconvenience for users.Foldable handhelds could eliminate the need to buy the two separate devices because they are combined into one. No longer will you need a tablet to have a better entertainment experience; you can simply unfold your foldable, and voila, you now have a tablet-sized screen at your fingertips. Or just use it as a regular phone, and be able to insert it into your bags or pockets with no issue whatsoever.Ability to MultitaskAs mentioned before, foldables allow users to open 2 or 3 windows at the same time. This enables users to perform 3 different tasks simultaneously.Imagine watching a live sporting event on the first tab, doing some work on a spreadsheet on a separate tab, and still being able to chat with family and friends. Users could now have a new way of saving energy as their television, laptop, and phone needs are jam-packed into one device.Room for Better HardwareSince foldables are much bigger and thicker than conventional smartphones, companies can put better and more efficient hardware into their products.Tech brands can put more hardware like larger dual batteries, which will give the foldables a longer battery life, and better camera sensors for improved photo and video capture.Fresh DesignEver since the launch of the first iPhone and subsequent start of Apple’s phone market dominance, every other brand has been emulating its new product designs.With the introduction of foldables, companies now have more leeway in terms of product design. And seeing as this segment is at its early stages, the room for design development will surely grow in the foreseeable future.ConclusionThe innovations brought about by foldables could likely influence and shape the ever-growing technological market. Every brand will create their versions of the new tech trend, much like how app development companies are going to be competing to develop the benchmark when it comes to foldable phone applications.Because the foldable device movement is just starting, IT engineers will face new challenges in building mobile apps in the coming years. But, rest assured, IT engineers will fix these kinks along the way, just as they are right now.Sources:https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/02/17/like-it-or-not-the-future-is-full-of-foldables/#6d14c4c27766https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-smartphones/https://servreality.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-devices/https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/foldableshttps://mobidev.biz/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-dual-screen-smartphoneshttps://buildfire.com/mobile-app-development-trends/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-suppliers-eagerly-eye-market-for-foldable-smartphoneshttps://japantoday.com/category/tech/samsung-to-launch-foldable-smartphone-in-septemberhttps://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2019041001142/sharp-unveils-prototype-of-foldable-smartphone-display.htmlhttps://www.tomsguide.com/us/foldable-phones-release-date,news-28705.htmlhttps://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/146826-best-foldable-smartphoneshttps://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-fold-new-patent-foldable-phone-2020-7https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianbridgwater/2019/05/06/why-foldable-phones-present-flexibility-challenges/#7203fd661f33https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-smartphones/https://appinventiv.com/blog/app-development-for-foldable-phones/https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2019/02/21/why-you-should-be-excited-for-foldable-phones-and-why-you-shoudnt/

We will explain the current state of the IoT in Japan compared to the rest of the world, as well as the featured companies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), which has been growing rapidly not only overseas but also in Japan over the past few years.What is IoT (Internet of Things) ?The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.Source：WikipediaTo put it more simple, IoT is about attaching sensors to things, and those sensors collect information and perform activities based on the information collected.Current status of IoT in JapanLet’s take a look at the current state of IoT technology in Japan.In 2017, the Japan Center for Economic Research published a study on the current state of IoT and AI in Japan.(See chart below.)Source： Status of AI and IoT adoption by Japanese companies/ Japan Center for Economic ResearchAs you can see, at the time of this survey, 14.6% of companies had already introduced IoT technology, and 36.4% of the total if you include companies that are considering adopting it.As I mentioned in a recent blog post, according to the Japan Center for Economic Research, investment in Japan’s IT industry has grown significantly, and the current impact of the new coronavirus is expected to further increase the proliferation of the IoT and development using the IoT.Japanese IT Industry Market Size Compared to the WorldJapan’s Featured IoT CompaniesWhen you think of the IoT, you might think of Intel, Microsoft and other major companies worldwide that make devices and semiconductors on which the IoT is based.However, these days in Japan, start-ups and small and medium-sized companies are also actively engaged in the IoT field. We’d like to introduce some of the IoT companies that are getting a lot of attention in Japan.Smart Home IoT CompanyPhotoSynth Inc.PhotoSynth Inc. is developing Akerun, an IoT-based access control system.Akerun is a service that makes it possible to operate a door attached to an ordinary door using only special bonding tape or screws and to unlock it from a smartphone using an IC card such as a Suica or nanaco card or face recognition. In addition, it is also possible to make a duplicate key for a specified time and day of the week, allowing a large number of people to enter and exit the building while maintaining a high level of security.  akerun.comAkerun｜オフィスのあらゆる鍵をクラウド化https://akerun.com/?_ga=2.233001432.711981714.1598419560-1190338585.1598419560Akerunは利便性やセキュリティを向上する、オフィス導入実績4,000社超のIoTサービスです。いつものICカードで扉が開く。既存の扉に後付けで設置するだけ。  Big Data IoT companiesAbeja Inc.Abeja Inc. offers Abeja Insight, an in-store analytics service for retail stores.Based on the concept of “Visualize all the numbers in a retail store”, the system collects and analyzes consumer behavior data from cameras installed in stores to make recommendations for improvements in retail store operations.  ABEJA 2 tweets15 users77 pockets株式会社ABEJAhttps://abejainc.com/ja/株式会社ABEJAは、蓄積されたビックデータからAI（人工知能）のディープラーニングを活用して、多様な業界・シーンで社会実装事業を展開する企業です。  Featured Foreign CompaniesNext, I would like to introduce some of the companies which are using IoT technology and are attracting attention overseas.HexoskinHexoskin (Carre Technologies), a Canadian company, has developed a smart shirt with sensors called Astroskin. Just by wearing this shirt, you can measure your heart rate, lung capacity and more.It collects various data during exercise, daily life and sleep, and it manages and analyzes the data on the cloud. This makes it possible to constantly measure and visualize the heart rate that we should be aware of in our daily lives. It is expected to play an important role in the prevention and early detection of diseases.  www.hexoskin.com 1 pocketAccess deniedhttps://www.hexoskin.com/pages/about-us   LiveMapLive Map is a Russian company that develops motorcycle helmets, but instead of a standard helmet, they are developing a helmet that uses IoT. Instead of relying on the GPS function of a mobile phone while riding, the helmet itself has an AR function and it displays the traffic information on the helmet visor. In addition, the helmet is equipped with a microphone and headphones inside, so the helmet can be operated by voice instead of manual operation. livemap.infoLiveMap: Motorcycle smart helmet with Augmented Reality navigationhttps://livemap.info/index.phpDo not miss the opportunity! BE THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE FUTURE ConclusionAs introduced above, IoT has become an essential technology in a wide range of fields, from retail to automated driving. For this reason, it can be stated that the market for IoT will continue to grow in Japan.If you are looking for a job at an IoT company in Japan, register with GTalent, the leading global IT recruitment agency. Our professional consultants will support you in your job search for free.

In this article, we would like to briefly explain each type of job in the Japanese IT industry for foreigners who are interested in the Japanese IT industry and students who are about to start job hunting.If you want to understand the Japanese IT industry first, can check the article below explains the classification and structure of the Japanese IT Industry.Let’s Learn Easily About Japanese IT Industry Structure!Jobs Types in the Japanese IT IndustryAs is explained in the article above, in a survey conducted by Human Resociain March 2020 about the number of IT engineers around the globe, Japan was forth in it.IT engineers can be broadly divided into four categories: infrastructure engineers, system operations engineers, application engineers, and system consultants.From now we will briefly explain the occupations in each category.Infrastructure EngineerFirst of all, in the IT industry, infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for the construction, design, operation, and management of an enterprise IT environment.An engineer who is responsible for “design,” “build,” “maintenance,” and “operation” of infrastructure is called an infrastructure engineer.An infrastructure engineer is made up of 5 types of engineers, which are server engineers, network engineers, storage engineers, database engineers, and cloud engineers.Server EngineerA server engineer is a technologist who designs and builds servers such as database server that stores information and internet server used generally internet.Network EngineerA network engineer is a technician who builds and maintains a computer network. Some specific tasks include designing network systems, building circuits and networks based on design documents, also managing and operating to maintain network systems.※Recently, server engineers and network engineers called totally as an infrastructure engineers.Storage EngineerStorage engineer is literally an engineer who manages storage.With the advancement that IT technology has made in these days, data maintenance becomes a very important task. Depending on how the data is handled, it can be probably lead to serious troubles. One of the roles of a storage engineer is to prevent these cases. Also, when a company handles a large amount of data, it is the job of the storage engineer to make the data available in an efficient way.DataBase EngineerDatabase engineers mainly develop and create databases using MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, based on customer needs and opinions.After developing the database, its management and operation is also part of their work.Cloud EngineerCurrently, the operation of services and data on the cloud is becoming mainstream. A cloud engineer is an engineer who develops a system for designing, building, operating and maintenance all on the cloud.Since most web applications started using cloud computing systems, the demand for cloud engineers will increase further in the future.System Operations EnigennerThere are two types of system operations engineers, one is called DevOps engineer and the other one is SRE engineer.DevOps EngineerFirst of all, DevOps is a technical term created based on the idea that developers and operators work together to develop faster.Being a DevOps engineer means creat and operate infrastructure environments like the cloud or modifying applications to improve development and operations. Unlike the infrastructure engineer, the DevOps engineer has the feature that when something goes wrong, he or she can take actions such as modifying the application by himself.Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)The SRE is an engineer who aims to improve the performance, availability, expandability, security to secure the reliability of the IT system.Some works carried out by a SRE Engineer are:Design and Construction of an Infrastructure (Server or Network)Monitoring and alert designationTroubleshootingOperations AutomationApplication EngineerApplication engineer is involved in the development of the system and applications on the PC that we normally use. When people generally talk about IT engineers, what people tend to imagine is an application engineer. However, the skills required for application engineers differ depending on the purpose, so this time we would like to introduce four types of application engineers.Embedded EngineerAn embedded engineer is an engineer who creates programs used for familiar products such as automobiles and home appliances.Packaging EngineerA package software is a software developed by a software company for use by many customers. Engineers who are responsible for the additional development and maintenance of such packages (antivirus software, etc.) are called packaging engineers.Front-end EngineerBefore we start talking about front-end engineers, let us explain what’s front-end means.The front-end is the part that operates on the client-side (where the user can interact with the product directly).Front-end engineers are engineers who design and implement front-end parts with using HTML, CSS, JavaScript (jQuery) according to the design created by web designer.Back-end EngineerFirstly, back-end means the part that operates on the server-side (where the client can not interact with the product directly).A back-end engineer is an engineer who performs coding of server-side in the building of Web services, EC sites, and also the construction of a database system on the back-end side. Furthermore, a back-end engineer is responsible for defining, designing, and constructing requirements for server-side processing such as Web services and EC sites.IT ConsaltantIT consultant is someone who proposes a system to solve the problems that a company has after understanding the current situation of the client and carrying out an analysis on it.ConclusionWe hope that this article will give international students and new graduates who are starting job hunting in Japan a better understanding of the types of jobs in the IT industry in Japan.

The new Japanese Immigration Policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in late 2018 and implemented later in April 2019, is the country’s way of addressing the depleting and aging Japanese workforce, especially in their IT industry.The current administration is looking to hire at least 345,000 foreign workers in the next 5 years. They initiated the program by creating two types of visas. The first visa is for the “low-skilled” aspirants (Specified Skills Visa-1 or SSV-1) who are allowed to work for a maximum of 5 years. The second is for the “medium-skilled” ones (Specified Skills Visa-2 or SSV-2) who can stay for 10 years, with non-stop renewable visas and even the option of applying for permanent visas after.But as of recently, only a small portion of the applicants have been granted employment by the companies, with only 30,000 estimated foreign IT workers being a part of the Japanese workforce today.What could this mean for the future of foreign IT workers? Is Japan truly ready to embrace immigrants into the workforce? And what’s the best type of visa that IT professionals can apply for to ensure employment? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and understand how the new Japanese Immigration Policy affects foreign IT workers.Overall Response to the New Japanese Immigration PolicyAlthough the government has good reasons to execute the Japanese Immigration Policy, it still managed to have mixed reactions from everyone, including some local leaders, traditional Japanese nationals, and foreigners seeking long-term employment in the country.Some officials were skeptical about the new program noting that previous policies with similar platforms, such as Japan’s “trainee” program, have failed due to inadequacies and proneness to abusive practices. Leaders also voiced concerns over probationary employees under the existing trainee program being forced to work excessive overtime, severely underpaid, and in some instances, having their passports embargoed by their employers.Meanwhile, traditionalists criticize the policy as an “easy” route for foreigners to take if they desire to live in the country permanently. Aside from allowing workers to be permanent residents, it also gives them the ability to naturalize their respective families. Some Japanese nationals also take issue with the ever-growing presence of foreigners in Japan.On the other hand, foreigners praise Japan for welcoming international talents and creating new programs that will benefit foreign aspirants and boost the country’s economy. IT workers are especially thrilled, as the country has tons of great opportunities for tech experts to grab. And even though some people have not yet embraced this new concept, the current regime is invested in making this vision come to fruition.Will Japan Finally Open Its Doors to Immigrants?Because of the constant skepticism towards the policy and only a small number of foreign workers have successfully applied for jobs in the country in recent months, many have wondered if Japan has genuinely opened its doors to gaijin like the thousands of aspiring IT workers.The answer is a resounding yes. Even before Prime Minister Abe lobbied for the new program, Japan saw an increase in the presence of foreigners in the country every year. And since April 1, 2019, when the immigration policy was officially implemented, various industries have accepted foreign workers. In fact, in the first 6 months of the new system, Japan saw its highest recorded foreign worker population with 1,658,804.In recent months, however, there has been a decline in the number of applicants from international talents hired by Japanese companies. It has absolutely nothing to do with the companies, the local government, the policy’s skeptics, and even the aspirants. Japan’s current administration is doing its absolute best to fulfill their goals with the new immigration policy.In the first months of the pandemic, the job market has been slow in accepting applications from international talents, but this isn’t true for IT companies. As the tech industry embraces the online application process, IT professionals’ job market continues to welcome foreign applicants as the need for workers in this field is expected to rise.The coronavirus may have put a setback in Japan’s job market, but aspiring foreign workers in the IT field and other industries can still apply for work visas overseas during the pandemic. Japan has gradually eased its travel restrictions to kickstart the country’s economy. As soon as the travel restrictions are completely lifted, foreigners can start working in the country again.Japan’s Immigration Policy – The New Specified Skills VisaThe new Specified Skills Visa or SSV is perfect for workers seeking opportunities in the IT industry of Japan. The government’s goal is to make up for the expected 800,000 IT worker deficit by 2030. So, there are plenty of employment openings that are just ripe for the picking.Machine Parts and Tooling industry:IT workers who can assist them in machine inspection and maintenance.Electric, Electronics, and Information industry and Industrial Machinery industry:IT workers to aid in manufacturing, electronic and electrical equipment assembling, and machine maintenance.Construction industry:IT workers who are experts with telecommunications.Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery industry:IT workers who can help in electrical equipment assembling.Automobile Repair and Maintenance industry:IT workers who can support maintenance and repair for cars’ infotainment systems.Manufacture of Food and Beverages:General food and beverage manufacture.Aside from the tons of opportunities available, another great thing about the SSV is how the Japanese government will take care of the foreign workers who’ll be residing in the country.Companies are required to give services such as housing support, Japanese language, lifestyle, and administrative procedures tutorials, assistance with work-related concerns, and even providing aid to international talents who have been terminated or are subject to termination.But for international IT workers to work under the SSV program and avail of these benefits, they have to meet specific requirements. For SSV-1 workers, they need to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 certificate, have a passing grade in the Specified Skills Test, and be able to stay and work in the country for 5 years.Meanwhile, applicants of SSV-2 have to compile their JLPT N4 certificate, proof of a higher level of specialized skill with experience and must be able to reside in the country until they become a permanent Japanese resident.ConclusionThe Japanese Immigration Policy has positively affected foreign IT workers in Japan. Despite the COVID-19 situation, the future of foreign IT workers in Japan looks promising. The Japanese government has exerted so much effort in making immigrants feel welcomed in the workforce despite some backlash. The country’s SSV program presents terrific openings for foreign workers and IT talents alike.Take this time to learn more about Japan’s Immigration Policy and apply for work online at the comfort of your home. Your next IT employment opportunity could be in Japan. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46492216https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/japan-labor-migration-reforms-breaking-pasthttps://thediplomat.com/2020/01/is-japan-ready-to-welcome-immigrants/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.XsYnCmgzZPZhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00572/covid-19-and-the-crisis-in-japanese-immigration-policy.htmlhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00515/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-bumps-into-challenges-welcoming-overseas-workershttps://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/a022f23f4d45-coronavirus-outbreak-latest-july-1-2020.htmlhttps://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000459527.pdf

Due to the impact of the new coronavirus (COVID19), travel to and from Japan has become increasingly difficult. This article is divided into two sections, “Departing from Japan to a foreign country” and “Entering Japan from a foreign country,” with information on reference websites and the current status of travel information for foreigners.Travel Conditions for Entering JapanDue to the spread of the new coronavirus, the entry of tourists and outgoing foreign residents into the country has been restricted since mid-March, and as of July 24, 2020, those who have been in countries subject to denial of landing will not be able to enter the country unless there is a special reason.More detailed information about the countries subject to refusal of entry to Japan and more detailed information is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (link below).Note that foreigners (including those from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) who will arrive in Japan with a flight via any of those 146 countries or regions which are subject to denial of permission to enter, with a purpose of refueling or transit, will also be denied to enter Japan in principle. This will apply regardless of whether they have entered those countries or regions or not. Foreigners from the countries and regions, where visa restrictions (suspension of visa validity or suspension of visa exemption measures) do not apply, will also be subject to entry bans if transiting through the 146 countries or regions.Reference:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan / Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)Information is updated on a daily basis, so be sure to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website every time you have to travel.Permission to re-enter Japan for foreign residents and studentsRestrictions on entry to Japan have reached more than 120 countries, and the period of restriction is much longer than expected due to the lack of improvement in the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus around the world. There was no guarantee that a person would be able to enter Japan, even if he or she had to return to their home country to take care of a family member who was in their home country for an emergency, or if he or she was studying in Japan and left Japan for a vacation period.However, taking this circumstance into account, the government announced that on July 29, 2020, they will consider re-entry for those with residency status.On August 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that expatriates and international students with a status of residence in Japan would be allowed to re-enter the country on a conditional basis from August 5, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Until now, foreign nationals who had departed from a country or region subject to denial of entry were, in principle, not allowed to re-enter the country.Reference：Re-entry of foreign residents / JiJi.com Translated from Japanese to English by GtalentAs stated in the above news article, the government has announced that from August 5th foreign nationals holding residence statuses, such as international students, permanent residents, long-term residents, and work visas, will be officially allowed to re-enter the country.※Foreigners are not yet allowed to enter Japan for the purpose of tourism. There is also a wide range of residency statuses, so please make sure to check the statuses carefully.What do I need to enter Japan again? What’s the procedure?As mentioned above, the Japanese government announced on August 5 that not only Japanese people are being allowed to re-enter the country, but also foreigners with residency status. Since the number of people coming from the countries subject to refusal of entry is much higher than before, the government has begun to strengthen its quarantine measures to prevent more people from becoming infected in the country.From now on, we would like to explain the documents required to re-enter the country.Documents required for re-entry COVID-19 Test ResultThe prescribed format for the certificate must be completed by the local medical institution and signed or stamped by the doctor.Process and Required Documents for Re-entry Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Related DocumentsYou can download the necessary documents for re-entry on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Application for Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Documents PassportA valid re-entry permit (including a deemed re-entry permit) must be affixed. Resident Card (zairyu-card)It must not have expired.Pre- and Post-Reentry ProceduresYou must take a PCR test within 72 hours of departing from the country / region in which you are currently residing and certify that the test result is negative.You will need to receive a “Confirmation of Re-Entry Document Submission” from the diplomatic mission in your country or region.When you arrive in Japan, you must take the PCR test again, regardless of your country or region of origin.You must do self-isolation for 2 weeks. The place of isolation will be designated by the laboratory director, and you may be required to stay in the hospital or at home.Can you go abroad during corona season?There are many foreign employees and students who have to leave Japan to take care of their parents, relatives, and children, but there are many countries like Japan that prohibit or restrict the entry of people who have stayed in countries with high numbers of infected people (countries subject to refusal of entry).From now on, we are going to provide information on travel from Japan to other countries for foreigners and international students who have been planning to leave Japan or are considering leaving the country.Travel Information for Leaving JapanMore and more countries are gradually easing their travel restrictions and accepting visitors from Japan. As the measures and documents required for arrival in each country differ, we would like to introduce some websites where you can check the travel situation in each country.Website of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is arguably the most reliable source of information in Japan.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website has a detailed list of entry restrictions for travelers from Japan to each country. It has a detailed list of restrictions on the entry of travelers from Japan to each country.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 1 user79 pocketsBorder enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID…https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html   Trip.comTrip.com is an online travel agency that provides up-to-date information on travel conditions in each country. The website provides detailed information about travelers from Japan in each country. jp.trip.com 1 userhttps://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/https://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/提携ホテルは120万軒以上、200ヶ国以上を網羅。3000万件を超えるユーザーレビューで、お客様にぴったりの宿選びも簡単。航空券は5,000以上の目的地からお選びいただけます。24時間・年中無休の日本語カスタマーサポートで、お客様の旅をいつでもお手伝いいたします。 ※For countries not listed on the above two sites, please contact the embassy or consulate for details.ConclusionCurrently (as of August 6, 2020), most countries are experiencing a second wave of infections. As a result, information on travel is constantly being updated. It is always a good idea to check with your home country’s embassy or other authorities for final information based on the information and websites provided in this article.